#Bit Guardian Parental Control

[l0s3rd0wnt0wn]

"GET WELL SOON!!"

MARK GRAYSON X FEM WB!READER

Bio: Mark got beaten up again, so you try your best to cheer up your sick boy. Based of this post

He's invincible for Christ's sake, so how does he get beat down like some D-tier hero? This sucks. It just sucks sitting down in bed with a broken leg and a fractured wrist. God, this sucks. It's just sucks. Everyone else is out fighting crime, and he's home watching dumb trash TV. He's about to lose it; if he doesn't get any action, he just might go insane from all the boredom. But he can barely get up, and his mom gave him specific rules not to leave the house when she's not around, and the other guardians are watching out so he won't leave bed. Ugh, this just isn't fair. It's just a broken leg and a bruised wrist; he can still kick ass, he thinks.

SLAM

"What the?" Mark sits up but instantly feels lightheaded from all that lying down. "Do not fear, fellow citizen, for Invincible is here!" you yell, wearing your signature yellow, blue, and black costume, flexing your very non-existent muscles at him with a big smirk. "I am here to cheer you up," you say with a wink, hitting him with some corny finger guns. Mark let out a surprised laugh; he couldn’t believe his eyes. This was probably the worst impression of him ever, like when parents hire a fake Spider-Man to come to their kid's birthday party. But he'll play along; plus, you really do look good in that suit. "Wow Invincible showed up to cheer up little ol' me," he chuckled, covering his mouth with his good hand.

"Yup!" you said confidently, pointing at yourself with a grin. "I'll do whatever you wish," you said, doing a little spin for him, making him laugh a little bit more. But you see, saying you'll do whatever he wishes was your very first mistake; your second mistake was not letting him check you out in this little invincible suit. "Oh really? You'll do whatever I say and some more?" he questioned, rubbing his chin with a good hand. "Well, that wasn't what I—" Oh, what the heck, he's bedridden; it's not like he could do anything. "Yeah, that's actually what I meant. Your, dear Invincible, will do whatever you ask!" Big mistake, huge.

"Can you do a little spin for me, Invincible? I want to see the suit; I mean, I never got to see it up close." You felt a strong surge of pride, and you couldn't help but do a little spin for him, slower than the first one, so he could see everything from the front to the back, the way it hugged your curves so nicely and how stretchy the material was so that it wouldn't be too tight. There were some parts that were a bit too tight, like around the chest area, but it was no biggie. Mark let out a whistle, watching it, which just boosted your ego more. "You like?" You did a dynamic pose for him. "Oh, I love it!" You couldn't control the little giggles that escaped your lips. "I made it myself. I wanted to wear it to a convention, but I felt this was better." Lies, you really made it for him. "Well, you did an amazing job, baby. I mean, Invincible," he said with a soft smirk on his face.

You sat on his bed, just for him to pull you into his lap. You keep forgetting how strong he is, even when he's half-broken. "Are you sure you can hold me? You're still a little... well, broken," Mark frowns and flexes his very existing muscles. "Does this look broken to you?" You wanted to laugh and blush at the same time. "No, sir!" You saluted him. "Good girl. Now, can the great Invincible show me her secret identity?" he said, gently rubbing your hip in a little circle, just for you to shake your head. "Nope, secret!" You giggle, "Not one peak," you shook your head again, and Mark makes a mock-upset face. "UGH! You're not fun. How about this: why don't you take care of me, then?" he asked, a wicked little grin on his lips. "Like what? I could make you something to eat—" Then his lips were pressed against yours. Oh, that's what he meant.

Mark's way of kissing was kind of like conquering you, if that made sense. His arms were wrapped around you, pulling you closer until you were both chest to chest. He devoured you with one kiss, his tongue delving into your mouth, tasting you, needing you, drinking in every whimper and gasp while letting out heavy breaths of his own. Then you heard a rip followed by a tear; his hand was clawing at the back of your suit, ripping it like confetti. "H-Hey, quit that!" But he didn't; he kept on ripping like you were some Christmas present waiting to be unwrapped. He had ripped the front and the back of the suit, making you pout. "You could have just unzipped it." It took you so many nights to make this. "Sorry, sweet thing." He wasn't sorry; you could see it in that devilish smirk. "No panties, huh? Invincible..." And here comes your shame: "It didn't look good because of the panty lines," but to be honest, it really didn't look good with the panty lines either. "Or you were planning this." His fingers flicked your clit, making you gasp, and his thumb slipped between your folds, feeling your wetness. "Definitely planned." He acted so cocky, like his cock wasn't throbbing at the idea of you in a custom-made hero suit just for him. "Come on, Invincible, why don't you cheer up your sick boy?"

"M-Mmh-" his hands were practically glued to your tits; even with a broken wrist, it didn't stop him from grabbing and pinching just to make you smirk as you bounced on his cock, barely even taking him in. Your mask was already lifted over your head; he needed to know your "secret identity." It was actually an excuse to see your cute little fucked-out expressions, like how your eyes would roll to the back of your head if he bucked his hips while you were riding or how you let little tears leave your eyes when overstimulated. "F-Fuck, baby!" you whined, feeling him fuck into you mid-ride. You pushed his hips down to stop him from bucking again. "Y-You asked me to take care of you," soft pants left your kiss-swollen lips. "Let me do that; you're hurt." He let out another needy whimper; it was getting harder and harder for him to keep control of himself when you looked so cute like this, with little baby hairs sticking to your forehead from sweat, how your hips always stuttered just a little when you tried to grind down on him, and the way you let out small curses in between when he was just too much. So Markus sat back and watched the view of his little Invincible.

But a part of him didn't like how you were doing all the work, his pretty girl, so why not help you just a little? And by a little, he means a lot. He wrapped both arms around you and pulled you closer to him so the two of you were face to face. Both of you let out pathetic little "ahh ahh ahh" sounds as you fucked like rabbits in heat. Mark bent his good leg up so he could get a better angle, hitting that spot that left you quivering. You tried to get out of his grip but remembered he's the hero here. "F-Fu... my g-god... y-you're so... w-warm... and... tight, shit!" He bit his lip hard; just feeling you was enough to make him cum, but he had to hold out. "Fuck!" He looked to see your blissed-out face. "God, you're so pretty like this," he breathed, nipping at your lips, trying to pull you into one of his very sloppy kisses, and it worked like a charm. You felt him grip your thigh, a sign that he was close, but at the same time he was moving, there was no way in hell he was pulling out or letting up on his pace. He moaned into your mouth, his cock twitching as he came inside you, thick hot ropes of cum painting your insides. "I-I really did like the suit," he choked out in between gasps, just for you to slap his chest; there was literally no suit left.

[aimasup]

2025 lilo and stitch rant, super long post, mega spoilers

might make changes to this later, no beta we die like Stitch's personality

"ohana means family, family means no one gets left behind, which includes you Nani 😇" (not a direct quote from the 2025 film)

WHO?????? WHO IS LEAVING HER BEHIND?? Is it her sister fresh out the womb, apparently a burden making sure Nani never gets to be her own person?? Is it Nani herself?? Someone who was completely rewritten to have different goals for a good message in the wrong movie?? Is it the 2 childrens' dead parents?? If so then what about Lilo?? What happens when Nani is too busy to visit in her new college?? Don't talk to me about how David and his mother are also family, it's the principle of the changes in plot.

Those are sisters who have lost their father and mother. They literally only have each other. I find it hard to believe that after such a recent loss that Nani would just: "*sniff* you're right *sniff* I DO have to put myself first!!! I'm so tired!!" and already start thinking about college?? I'm not saying it's selfish of her to want it I'm saying it's, to me, a coping mechanism that the movie wants to say was her real hidden motivation all this time.

You ever have to move away from your best friend? Not a good feeling, especially when there's options in the same area you could've chosen but you can't for some reason. You can still visit, but it is a huge change. That's the best case scenario this movie decided on for Lilo and Stitch.

Original Nani literally wants the best for Lilo and understands that her little sister is different (read: likely neurodivergent). A massive strength of original Nani was that she had the maturity and ability to understand that. That's not something their parent's death made Nani have to come to terms with, that's something about Lilo that she already accepted long before.

I cannot stress this enough, they are sisters. Nani sticks her tongue back at Lilo, Nani teases Lilo (oh nooo gravity's increasing on me!!), Nani rolls her eyes at Lilo - have you considered, that these traits are not caretaker/mother Nani just playing along with her kid's games, but that Nani is naturally silly and Lilo brings out that side of her more?

There's one scene in the original where she may be 'playing along' with Lilo.

Original Nani makes Lilo feel better about her losing her job, but that vampire excuse came so naturally to Nani that I personally interpreted it as,

a.) holy shit Nani is an extremely good guardian,

but also

b.) Nani is creative enough in her own right to play off of Lilo, and

c.) Nani seems to even cheer up a bit when making up this absurd tale to Lilo. This is headcanon territory but I feel like they used to fill each others' heads with stories like this all the time, Nani may not get everything about Lilo, but she's smart and whimsical too - IDK IF IM GETTING THIS ACROSS RIGHT BUT THEY'RE SISTERS. THEYRE BESTIES. NANI NEEDS LILO AS MUCH AS LILO NEEDS HER

For what reason did she have to do this. Nani you are being such a piece of shit I love you

And then in the new movie Nani is just seems to be completely annoyed Lilo's - everything?? They added this layer of tiredness and anger to Nani for 'realism', she loses control and takes it out on Lilo for 'realism' - but she loses control and takes it out on Lilo in the original too without telling her to 'wake up and stop living in fantasy'.

There's literally a whole scene in the original showing how Nani and Lilo are not adjusting well, and Nani calls Lilo misbehaved and a pain, but she doesn't RANT AT HER. There's a difference in original and new Nani's anger. I can't explain it.

Lilo being taken to the adopt a dog wasn't just Nani listening to a request, it might have been her trying give Lilo a friend. Lilo doesn't even know Nani overhead her star wish, Nani just wants Lilo to have one friend that won't run away, something that they both know Nani, Lilo's own sister, can't be for her full-time anymore.

Then they made it so Nani couldn't even do that in the live action film so their new characters could have something to do.

It's all girlboss girlpower until the girl loves her sister so much it hurts and she's entirely fine with it

The more I think about the ending of the live action Lilo and Stitch the more it baffles me. It's like reading a bad-end fanfiction where the characters end up evil or separated except the movie's trying to say it's a good thing somehow.

Also I'd rather they not add Cobra Bubbles at all with how little he contributed here. You guys do know when you divide a character in half the characters are only half of themselves right. Right

They've watered down all the characters tbh - Lilo, Stitch, Pleakley, that tall alien leader woman (idk her name), even that mean girl in the hula class. So I wanna talk about Jumba real quick (lie)

Jumba

And how do you misunderstand Jumba so bad?? He definitely wasn't good in the original, literally says he will take Stitch apart and remake him, but he isn't totally malicious?? Original Jumba was just an antagonistic mad scientist motivated by - like many other mad scientists, science.

In the original, Stitch both aggravates and intrigues Jumba, and this dynamic is fun because of:

a.) the little blue shithead's evasion of Jumba's grasp and

b.) the little blue shithead's responses to the new environment variables.

"I'm coming to kick your ass you bitch homunculus I literally made you"

Therefore Original Jumba is literally so pissed at Stitch but so happy to observe his creation under a microscope. That indestructible monster is his pride and joy!! They're on another goddamn planet, why wouldn't Jumba play Animal Planet while trying to keep up with Stitch (before shooting him)!! That's a biologist given a free study trip!!

In the original when he's telling a sad Stitch that he has no family, he's stating a cold fact as impassively as possible, that's just who he is!! Jumba is antagonistic to Stitch' development because he is reminding Stitch of his purpose - Jumba has no reason to believe this feral terror creature can ever be domesticated.

Original Jumba didn't really see Stitch as anything but an unruly test subject (affectionately) - here's the thing though, he was willing to have this instant change of heart because Stitch is his test subject. No Victor Frankenstein is a totally sweet dad to their lab abomination children let's be real.

Basically Original Jumba adores science. Stitch is his greatest scientific creation, and when Stitch began to be more than just an experiment to him, he embraced that too because Jumba, plain and simple, was never so unlikable that the audience couldn't believe he didn't have a heart. Because Stitch, mindless monster or not, was always his beloved/beloathed child.

Also the dialogue in the whole 2025 movie is so bad. everyone feels dumber now.

Gonna stop talking about the writing now

The presentation

I don't think this movie should've been made in the first place but they should've just used puppets for the aliens, like in star wars.

Could've even used camera tricks to make Gantu enormous like those monster movies from decades ago. Have someone in a shark cop costume stomp around a tiny model of an island i dunno

And why are the colours so bad?? this is live action yet real life literally looks better than this movie lol

It goes by so fast, no suspense to leave room for interest and no pauses to let the jokes breathe. Everyone talks like they're in such a hurry like slow down!!!

Also the hologram disguises, the reasoning is so odd. If the aliens don't look convincingly human, they just don't.

'it worked in the animated version but it doesn't work in real life' NO TF IT DIDN'T. They could not have been MORE OBVIOUSLY ALIENS, even in the original animation!! I don't even think humans are that easily fooled, I think everyone's just too polite to say anything about this random couple's appearance!!! Jumba and Pleakley did not pass as humans in the original because they were animated they passed because the plot let them PLEEEEASE

'this didn't work in live action' and 'that didn't work in live action' then don't make it! The audacity!!!! To not only make this a real thing, but also be cheap about it. Like pick a struggle mate

[randomperson54321]

i’ve got some tough news: This morning, Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal reintroduced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).1

After successfully killing this pro-censorship and surveillance bill last session, it’s back, and we’re jumping into action to stop it again.

Can you rush an urgent donation to Fight for the Future today to jump start our stop KOSA fight?

DONATE TO STOP KOSA

It is honestly unfathomable that in the current political climate lawmakers are putting forward legislation that would give the Trump administration more tools to silence perspectives they don’t like. Over the past five months they have disappeared, deported, and defunded people and organizations who have exercised their first amendment rights.2,3,4

The fact that lawmakers are watching all this happen, and are still willing to support KOSA, is unconscionable.

If KOSA passes, Trump’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be able to say that any topic they want to stop people from talking about causes “harm” to kids, and force platforms to censor it. And we don’t have to guess what they would target, since FTC Chair Andrew Fergusson said if confirmed he’d fight the “trans agenda.”5

It’s unfortunately not surprising that Senator Blumenthal, the Democratic sponsor of the bill, doesn’t seem to care about the harm his bill would cause. Sen. Blumenthal has consistently ignored the hundreds of organizations that have raised concerns about how KOSA would impact the LGBTQ+ community, access to information on reproductive rights, and everyone's free expression online.

But we do think there is a good opportunity to strip other lawmakers’ support for KOSA in the face of Trump’s attack on human rights. We have a plan to continue working with our anti-censorship coalition, the hundreds of thousands of parents, young people, and activists who have already helped stop KOSA, and to kill this dangerous bill again.

Your support made all this organizing possible over the last few years, and it’s what will keep fueling this fight now. Please make a gift today to fight against KOSA and to support real solutions that will help keep everyone safe online.

Lawmakers are trying to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a dangerous bill that would give the government unprecedented control over the internet and force platforms to spy on youth.

90+ rights groups agree KOSA won’t make kids more safe. Instead, it’ll put youth in danger by subjecting them to surveillance and preventing them from accessing resources they need.

Believe in a free and open internet? Join me and take action: https://stopkosa.com/?source=email&

Together, we can stop KOSA again,

Caitlin and the team at Fight for the Future

P.S. If you’ve been with us for a bit, you know this is a long-term fight. Yes, we need to stop KOSA today, but there will be more bad bills. And we know we need to keep building an organized movement against censorship and surveillance. So if you can, consider starting a monthly donation today. This will help us know we can keep fighting, month-after-month, no matter what.

Footnotes:

1. Blumenthal Press Release: https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-blackburn-thune-and-schumer-introduce-the-kids-online-safety-act

2. The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/28/trump-immigration-people-detained-deported-cases

3. New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/article/trump-university-college.html

4. CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/08/politics/universities-medical-research-funding-frozen-trump-diversity-purge

5. The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/10/24318388/trump-ftc-chair-pick-andrew-ferguson-censorship-tech-companies

[nixwriteschaos]

Ello! I just read your Dabi x Mother figure reader and I really really really loved it a lot! I was wondering if you could make a similar fic with the premise of Shigaraki x an older male reader who is a father figure towards him? You don't have to of course, I just really liked that Dabi fic and thought it was sweet!

A Father’s Love

Shigaraki x Male!Reader [PLATONIC]

Summary: Shigaraki grew up with an abusive father and a weak mother. He was traumatized after killing his whole family, and ended up living with All For One. It didn’t do any good for him, All For One was a controlling father figure who acted like he was doing what was best for him. All changed after recruiting a man with a unique Quirk.

★☽A/N: To be completely honest, A Mother’s Love is definitely one of my favorites!! That and Unexpected Interest. If you guys noticed my writing is slightly different, it’s either because I’m lazy, have improved, or have Writer’s Block… ANYWAYS, ENJOYYY!! <333

Contents: FLUFF & SLIGHT ANGST?

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

The League of Villains is a dangerous organization, known for their evil crimes. All orchestrated by All For One himself, a centuries old threat to Japan’s society. His successor, Tomura Shigaraki, isn’t much different from his mentor.

Tomura Shigaraki grew up with an abusive father and a weak mother. At age 4, he killed his whole family, leaving him alone with no guardian and ended up living with All For One. It didn’t do any good for him, All For One was a controlling father figure who acted like he was doing what was best for him.

All changed after recruiting a man with a unique Quirk.

He was an old soul, a man in his 40’s with a unique Quirk. His name was Y/N L/N, known by society as Poker Face for his card-related Quirk. He was recruited by Dabi a couple days ago and he had already made his impact in the League.

The reason why he was invited to the league was because of his Quirk, which allows him to have any ability to extract any meaning from a card and use it to his advantage. Despite being called Poker Face, the cards that he can only use are tarots cards.

Dabi deemed his Quirk useful and recruited him to the team. With time, he slowly went up the ranks and was side by side with the main league. He was hard-working and focused at any task he was given. He was an impressive addition to the team.

By the time he joined the main league, he became very well known in the LOV. Known for his fatherly aura. He used to have a daughter that would’ve been Shigaraki’s age if she hadn’t died in an accident. An accident that All Might failed to save everyone in. Because of this, his hatred towards All Might was born and it grew everyday by the amount of people praising him for his work.

Toga absolutely loved him! Her parents had always found her weird as a child. Y/N? He doesn’t give two shits about her quirks. “You want to drink my blood? Okay, just don’t drink it all!” He would say with a big smile on his face, offering his arm towards her. “You want me to find a bird to drink all its blood? Give me the whole afternoon and I’ll find you a juicy one!” Another thing he would say, a huge smile on his face.

Of course, his treatment towards her is different since he’s a girl dad inside and out.

Dabi was a bit defensive around him. Although he was the one who recruited him, he only did it for the sake of the LOV. (Shocking!) But, with time, he grew to love the man as a father who supported his dreams. Touya grew up with Endeavour as a child, who filled him with so much hope and expectations, only to tell him to give up because of his Quirk. Y/N wasn’t like that. Anything Dabi suggested, he would give a pat on his back and tell him “it’s a great idea!” with a thumbs up. He was like any old dad. But to Dabi, he was the best.

Due to Shigaraki’s past, he learned to not trust people. The only people he trusted were the main league, Kurogiri and “Master.” All For One wasn’t exactly the best father figure after his late father died. He wasn’t abusive, surprisingly, but was controlling and manipulative. He always said that he was doing what was best for Tomura and to trust him.

All these years, Tomura was brainwashed to think that All For One was the best thing that happened to him.

But he was wrong.

When Y/N greeted himself, Tomura saw him as a disgusting old man. He thought, How could an old man like him be so great? with a scoff. He didn’t even shake his hand!

Shigaraki was bothered every single day by the older man. Everytime he was having a tough time, he found it annoying that L/N would go out of his way to comfort him. Everytime he was motivated or had done something successfully, he was there to cheer him on.

Slowly, even though it was unintended, his trust in Y/N increased. He found it trustworthy enough to handle things on his own without having to report anything to him.

And by now, he trusted Y/N with all his heart. All For One did not like this “new recruit.” He found him distracting towards Shigaraki. He despised how Y/N was basically stealing his successor.

Shigaraki didn't know that he saw Y/N as a father figure. He was caring and much more considered than All For One. He couldn't believe he was comparing Y/N with All For One! The very being who saved him.

But he wasn't considering his opinions, he never was there when he was having his breakdowns.

Y/N was. In one of his breakdowns, he scratched his neck to the point it was red and blood started to seep out. All For One wasn't there, but Y/N was. He quickly helped him, stopping him from causing more damage to his skin. He helped him calm down and regain control over his emotions again.

He was kind enough to put some ointment or cream to treat his wounds. He was still shaking but Y/N didn't mind. He just smiled at him and reassured him that everything was fine.

That was probably the first time in ages. The first time he cried, sobbed, in ages.

He couldn't stop the tears from falling from his eyes. His body shook even more as tears started to flood his vision.

He didn't know if this was from relief or what. He didn't know why he was crying, he just was.

Y/N sort of panicked when he suddenly cried in front of him. He rushed to comfort him with a comically sweaty state. “Hey, hey, it's okay!” He embraced him and patted his back.

Shigaraki couldn't move, he didn't even hug him back. He just sobbed the entire time, wetting Y/N's shirt in the process. Y/N was still shocked by this reaction, unable to react except trying to soothe him by rubbing his back.

Let’s just say that Y/N is his favorite person now. More than All For One.. (AFO is definitely angry about this revelation).

Oh! And he’s not afraid to call Y/N “dad.” <33

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

[shaevilux]

People knock on Rhoam for being a bad dad cuz he's distant and stern to little Zelda and say how Rauru is the goat (heh) for taking her in like his own daughter. Like Zelda had her real parental connection with Sonia and Rauru. But frankly that's a little reductive.

Rauru literally descended from the heavens, married a priest, started a kingdom. Man didn't really know much strife yet. There's no looming threat of calamity or prophecy yet. Things are peaceful. Things are fine. Things are great. Zelda dropped in during this time, talking about a doom that's going to happen tens of thousands of years in the future.

This sad, lost princess.

Of course any reasonable person would take her in and calm her and tell her she is fine and listen and support her.

Rhoam not being able to be this kind of figure for Zelda is tragic. Just read this poor man's journal entries:

"It has been a year and three months since her mother passed. Perhaps she is held back by heartache too deep to heal. If the Ganon prophecy wasn't looming over our heads, I would tell her to take her time... To wait until she is ready. But our situation is dire and leaves no room for weakness—even on behalf of my beloved daughter. My heart breaks for Zelda, but I must act as a king, not a father. I must order her to train relentlessly at the fountain." Pg 4.

"In truth, I understand Zelda's feelings. Painfully so. She lost her mother, her teacher, before she could learn from her. Ten pointless years of self-training, without so much as a book or note to help her find her way... Those in the castle talk behind her back. And I, her only family, scold her for her shortcomings. No wonder she wishes to hide away in her beloved relic research. I'd love nothing more than to console her... But I must stay strong. She MUST fulfill her duty, just as we all must. Even if she comes to despise me." Pg 6.

"I have been told my Zelda went to the Spring of Wisdom... This will likely be her last chance. If she is unable to awaken her power at Lanayru, all hope is truly lost. If she comes back without success, then I shall speak kindly with her. Scolding is pointless now. I forced 10 years of training on her... and after all that, it seems her power will stubbornly awaken some other way. Perhaps I should encourage her to keep researching her beloved relics. They may just lead her to answers I can't provide. For now, I sit anxiously, more a father than a king in this moment. I sit and await my daughter's return." Pg 7. (He fucking dies and never gives Zelda this bit of closure uuuugggghhhhhhh Zelda I'm so sorry Rhoam I'm so sorry)

It sucks because most people remember the cutscenes (duh it's more immersive and important) and in the cutscenes of the first game Rhoam was mostly shown as being stern and mean to babygirl Zelda, who is closed fists explaining herself to him at the verge of tears. And in contrast everyone in the first royal family of hyrule in the second game treated her with such kindness and we can see how happy she was being there with them.

Rhoam was shackled by duty. By prophecy. By the looming calamity. And from the day he named his daughter 'Zelda' he shackled her as well.

And what does Zelda do with these shackles? She accepts them. She tolerates them. Because she loves her father and her kingdom and knows there's a power dormant in her that can stop the calamity that she must do her best to unlock. She does this dutifully. She does all the training, she does everything that is required.

But it still doesn't unlock. So she tries other ways. She isn't just going after the 'relics' because she's scholarly and nerdy and wants to learn about them. She does it because she's pragmatic. She knows her sacred sealing power isn't present in her. She knows she might not be able to control it or even unlock it in time.

So she tries this alternative approach. The Divine Beasts, the guardians. Ancient tech that was used to prevent the calamity of their time. And she awakened the tech. And her father chose the champions for each divine beast. And they were all prepared. And it's all thanks to Zelda.

And then... Fucking tragedy again. Ganon probably learned his lesson from the last time he was thwarted and immediately went for the tech, corrupting it and turning it against the new users. Against Zelda.

It's never really stated how fast it all turned to shit when the tech betrayed them (or maybe I don't remember) but every account points to it being almost overnight. The champions died. Rhoam died. And suddenly, suddenly Zelda unlocks her sealing magic.

I always always hate the literary trope of using tragedy to unlock a great power that could've actually stopped the tragedy from happening in the first place.

And it's no different in BOTW. I hate that Zelda had to go through all this to unlock her powers.

And then what happens next?

She's stuck in limbo (in an almost mocking parallel to Rauru in the next game with his imprisoning arm) holding Ganon back. For a hundred years.

This young woman had gone through so much only to be trapped with a calamity seeking to destroy Hyrule for a century.

Does she know her father died in the war? Does she know the champions died in battle? Would she know Link would survive in the Shrine of Resurrection? Would she know how long it would all take? The century she would have to wait?

I think she didn't. I think it all happened too fast. I think ultimately, she decided a stalemate with ganon was an agreeable outcome. I think in her mind she probably thought she failed Hyrule. When the divine beasts turned she must have been distraught. Distraught might not even cover it tbh. But at least... At least when the kingdom was brought to it's knees by the corrupted tech and was waiting for the final blow, she had the ability to ensure the final blow never came.

And oh boy I have a looot more to talk about regarding Tears of the Kingdom. But I do want to have a couple of more playthroughs of it to really formulate what I want to say.

[ready-to-read7]

Prompt #2

this prompt is something I really enjoyed writing, I really like the concept of wonder woman/Diana being a mother figure to Danny and I also really like the prompts were Danny along with Dan or dani/Ellie are de-aged ( also you can decide if Danny is the ghost King or  not but I think he would be at this point)

so in this situation a bad Fenton parents story where Dan, Danny and Ellie/ dani are badly injured and clockwork wanting to save all three of them  would de-age them and ellie /dani  is a few months old, Danny is  two years old and Dan would be around five years old,  and clockwork  wants to give them  a responsible mortal Guardian and will for some reason, goes to  Pandora and will ask her if she can think of any strong independent women to give the de-aged King along with his siblings/clones to and Pandora would be like yes because she is a dead Amazonian and would think wonder woman/Diana is the perfect choice for this

she would then contact Diana (I would say through her dreams but you can decide how)  and would  ask her to go back to Themyscira so that she can ask her a favour, when Diana reaches home she goes to one of the beaches where a  portal opens up to reveal Pandora is holding a de-aged Danny, Dan and dani/ ellie and would ask her if she would be willing to be a mother to these three, explaining to her without giving too much information that these are three powerful young beings that need a strong and stable figure to raise them and Pandora would also elaborate that two (or only one of them if you decide to make Danny trans )  is  male but she still wants the members of the Amazonian’s to treat him/them with respect, Diana’s mother would be close by listening and Diana would agree to raise the  three little ones asking for their names and anything important she needs to know, Diana’s mother would agree with her daughter’s choice and would inshore  Pandora that they will not discriminate against Dan and danny ( if you don’t go with the trance Danny thing) just because they are boys, if they are raised by Amazonian’s they are just as much a Amazonian as any other, Pandora would be relieved and would continue explaining that as they get older they will develop abilities that will be hard for them to control at first but with practice they can control them easily, she would also tell Diana that it would be in the best interest of the children if no one found out that they were actually powerful beings and it would be much safer for them if people believe that they are her biological children and Diana would agree.

 So Diana and her people would come up with a story explaining that the three children were being raised on Themyscira for their own safety since Dan and Danny or just  dan is the first male Amazonians so they needed a bit more protection for the first few years of their lives, (just know I did not research anything about the Amazonian’s so if any of the information is wrong I apologize also technically they wanted to do it in a way so the they are  not lying so keeping the children on the island for a year before they introduce them to the rest of the world is their way of bending the truth )  and Diana would then move back to Themyscira for  a small bit to sell the story along with being able to get to know her new children

 One year later Diana decides that it’s about time she takes her children out to the world of man, and she would decide to introduce her children to the Justice league on bring your sidekick/children to Work day (do remember she had not told anyone about her kids mostly because it never was brought up and no one asked  if she had kids so she  was technically not keeping it a secret) so she would get to the watchtower early and would sit in the meeting room with her kids, and somehow no one saw her walk in and go to the meeting room (yes she was announced on the coms  but there were not many people in the watchtower at the time so no one really noticed or paid attention)

She would sit in the meeting room as she listened into the coms as heroes and their children/sidekicks started coming to the watchtower she would then place dani/ Ellie down and would tell her brothers to watch her as she went to go fetch snacks for them, Dani and Dan would end up getting into an argument and dani / ellie being the little Explorer she is would wander off,

She would crawl into the main room where all the children and sidekicks of heroes were running around playing and talking as the adults were talking with each other and as she was crawling around someone tripped over her I would say one of the Robbins or one of the speedsters and because of her much greater resilience she wouldn’t get hurt but she would get startled and started crying which would alert all the adults and children who would wonder why there was a one-year-old in the watchtower and whose child was it, due to her black hair and blue eyes people would immediately assume she’s either Superman’s or Batman’s but both of them will deny this while Batman is holding her trying to get her to calm down, then Dan and Danny would run in calling  her name and Superman would ask them if this was there little sister they would say yes and  he would ask who their parent is and before they can respond wonder woman would run in with a speed that is quite frightening and would yell out to Danny and Dan ask them why they weren’t watching their sister and why did they leave the meeting room and everyone would then realize that the children were Diana’s and many of them were utterly confused

(I hope this kinda makes sense of what I’m trying to get across I just love seeing Diana as a mom it just feels right because she would be like the perfect mother)

[doodlesfromthebird]

I'm just going to establish that the large boy is Mattheus and the willowy halloween gremlin is Kassian. sO. THERES A FACT.... Kassian has ghostly powers, including a limited ability to phase through objects. He can't phase mundane clothing on his back or other people. He phases through walls so often he forgets which doors are "pull" or "push". Theres typically a bit of confusion when he HAS to use one. MORE FACTS UNDER CUT!

Mattheus' super strength developed as a child and it was a difficult thing for him to control. He accidentally broke a bone in one of his brothers hands when playing and he felt so awful he wore oven mitts on his hands for a week, as if it would lessen the effects of his strength

Mattheus loves olives and Kassian loathes them entirely, so whenever offered some he'll give them to Mattheus. Kassian will finish whatever sweets Mattheus can' if the sweets are too rich.

Kassian has unnecessarily swoopy cursive for handwriting. Mattheus has very sharp and scratchy, large print. (His "S"'s all look like lightning bolts. It's very cute.)

Mattheus is the tallest person in his family. He's 6'5" (almost 200 cm) the second tallest is his brother, Torin at 5'7 (abt 173cm) by a few cm. Mattheus towers over everyone in his family.

Kassian is allergic to the entire season of Spring. Pollen is constantly assaulting his sinuses, he gets eaten alive by bugs, and he swears the springtime sun gives him hives. (it doesn't, he's being drama queen)

Neither of them get much of an opportunity to do artsy hobbies, but Mattheus is fairly skilled in pottery and ceramics, and kassian likes drawing flowers and dabbles in candle-making.

they're both monster-hunting partners that specialize in exterminating a very particular kind of monster. Kassian is a mage that specializes in dark and illusion magic where Mattheus is a fighter that specializes in two-handed heavy weapons. They're very good at it.

Yes, they've done the thing where Mattheus does pushups and Kassian sits on his back.

Kassian is very open with his expressions, (he's my muse for intense expression drawing) and body-language. He's very theatrical, but he's easily embarrassed and quick to shrink in on himself. Mattheus is outwardly very stoic but is actually very passionate and softhearted.

Mattheus is what people in their world call a "young god". It's a very demigod inspired concept, where god-like traits are given to humans via gods/guardians as a sort of "blessing" if a particular family was favored by a divine being, or if the human themself was favored. Mattheus (and his sis Mainara) was blessed by two sibling gods because they favored his mother's side (long story, but in short they both had the hots for his grandmother) to which his parents were like..."uh thanks i guess??"

Kassian is the kind of person who doesn't give pencils back/puts empty containers of food back in the pantry when he's done. Mattheus drinks milk out of the carton and sneezes unnecessarily loud. Both can cook, but they both wait til they have no clothes left to do laundry.

The way they fight relies on a sort of linking of mind and energy (the closest I can think of is "drift compatibility") in a way that grounds the other as sort of an anchor. It balances Kass's sensitivity to spiritual noise and Mattheus's grounded and focused nature.

Kassian easily picks up on hidden magical frequencies mattheus can't, and Mattheus's senses are heightened to "real world" sounds and smells Kassian can't detect. Mattheus is a good strategist/planner/tracker and Kassian can slither into places to scout.

Mattheus loves all animals but especially dogs. Big dogs. Kassian is a little skittish and hesitant around living things smaller than him, but typically likes quiet animals like cats and rabbits. Big animals love HIM though and he's been knocked over by many a large dog/creature

Kassian is 25 (December 24th) Mattheus is 23 (August 30th) [he often gets "you're a lot younger than you look" I think if you get to know him a little bit and the first impression of his height & strong features fade, you kind of see he still has a boyishness to his face]

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Hellooo

I started playing TW after years of lurking in the Fandom and boy, (re-)experiencing all the books by myself reminded me of many interrogations I had back when the translations were uploaded on YouTube

Like, Jamil. Did dude ever get chastised back home for his overbloat and coup d'état attempt?I don't remember anything of him being reprimanded except I think that flashback in Book 5 where he had lost Scarabia students' trust (but that's not a punishment)

That aside, are the OB students' families told about what happen to their son? It's normal if it's private matters but Jamil's betrayal went viral online (although it's debatable whether 5.000 watchers is actually a lot, I assume it was enough for the news to spread quite a bit). You can't tell me someone from the Asim family or their staff didn't stumble upon it at some point. Given how deadass they are about Kalim's safety, I'm surprised they'd let Jamil, who took advantage of his position and fucked him in arguably the worst way possible, remain as Kalim's intendant as if nothing happened. The point I'm trying to raise here is that they're not lacking the means nor the power to remove him. Idk, if my son was framed and almost killed by one of our most loyal servants, I don't know if I'd make his life a nightmare given his family's loyalty but at least I wouldn't let him anywhere near my son ever again.

I know Crowley does his best to keep the truth about the 6 (7) OBs hidden from the public, but they're all minors (except Leona and Malleus). He's legally entitled to call their parents and tell them about their son's 'incidents', even more so lives were at stake. I wish we could have had some interactions about it, a word about how their family handled the news. Riddle wanted to have a talk with his mother, but we never got an update about it even though it's very relevant to his character growth. Has there been anything about it now?

Hope it was fine to send my rant! I used to read your posts a lot back then and never dared interact with despite how fascinated I am with your insight. I really feel like "ohh, I finally send a question as a player to that one veteran who knows so much!" and it's quite nice ehe

Welcome, new gamer 🎮 And no worries!! I welcome anyone here as long as they’re amicable/polite and interested in Twst~

dbywbejkawbiw Thanks for looking at my posts and getting something out of them! :> I hope it continues to be that way.

Sadly, Twst does not cover the fallout of each OB in great detail. We’re only left to assume what happens, though the individual consequences are lightly touched on in the following book. For example, Riddle lightens up on the rules and tries to control his anger, Leona returns to putting forth effort in training, Azul assumes more ethical business practices at the Mostro Lounge and realizes he has to accept himself, etc.

It seems that Crowley or the powers that be did their best to contain spread of the news, but they at least had to be reported to certain organizations and individuals. For example, in book 6, Crowley mentions being chided by S.T.Y.X., the Department of Education, and the Department of Magic for allowing multiple OBs to happen under his watch.

Vil also mentions that the OB boys received counseling and treatment from medical mages.

In terms of consequences unique to each OB boy:

The second volume of the light novel informs us that Riddle receives social backlash from his peers after his OB. Additionally, he faced expulsion after his incident, but his mother intervened. It’s not explicitly stated that Mrs. Rosehearts was informed about her son’s OB, but it may be argued that it was implied. (Because the school would have had to provide a reason for his expulsion, especially since NRC, as a boarding school, is responsible for his health and safety while the students are there; NRC would therefore have told Riddle’s legal guardian and parent about what transpired.)

Jamil seems to imply that Crowley DOES tell the family members of the OBers, but does not tell the entire truth about it. For example, in 5-10, Jamil suggests that Crowley hid the true reason for his OB. This means the Vipers and Asims would have no knowledge of Jamil’s attempt to overthrow Kalim. Most likely they were told Jamil just overexerted himself while practicing spells or something.

A shame we don’t get to see any parents’ reaction to the news… I’d imagine it isn’t easy to hear.

(By the way, quick correction!! Though Jade claims he livestreamed Jamil’s confession and that there were over 5000 viewers, Azul confirms in book 5 that this was a bluff. In reality, Jade was on speaker call with Azul and Jamil’s confession was only projected to other Scarabia students. The truth of Jamil’s OB is still safe from his and Kalim’s parents!)

And no, no update (or even a mention) of what happened after Riddle spoke with his mother over winter break. I find that so strange, especially when they set it up as such an important moment in his character growth and journey to find his independence… Yet here we are, having finished book 7 in JP and STILL no meaningful follow-up on that chat.

A common critique of Twst’s writing is that the OB boys don’t take enough accountability or don’t face substantial consequences for their actions. This is true for all of the OBs, even if they came close to extremes like committing murder or world domination. It sounds silly to us, the players, but Yana has laid out the intention of Twst in various interviews. The villains aren’t meant to be wholly good or evil; they aren’t meant to be completely reformed and change their tunes. Part of their charm IS their wickedness, so the story won’t condemn them or give them strict punitive measures but rather will grant them second chances and the time + space to develop on their own. It’s still frustrating to see the lack of seriousness sometimes but 🙂‍↕️ I think we just gotta accept this is how Twst is…

[atthecenterofeverything]

i went through your tags, but could you share more of your thoughts on OCD specifically? anything really

and a specific question, do you think one reason it clusters in families is because children pick up the self-soothing behaviours exhibited by the parents and replicate them? or more broadly, material conditions causing traumas are replicated?

hi! I talked about P-OCD here which follows some of the same patterns as my thoughts on OCD.

I am always a bit hesitant at taking for granted that any diagnosis "clusters in families" and that the only question is why. the two factors you mentioned (picking up self soothing behaviors or replicated material conditions) can lead to some superficial similarities between guardians and children's reaction to stress, yes. but for OCD specifically its association as a diagnosis with the question of abulia or lack of will (an impossibility to resist the obsessions or compulsions) means that it is thoroughly enmeshed with ideas of degeneration theory.

By the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, concepts of heredity and degeneration were taking hold in a number of institutions, partly as a result of the discovery of genetic principles by Gregor Mendel. The French psychiatrist Valentin Magnan (1835–1916) considered OCD a “folie des degeneres” (psychosis of degeneration), indicating cerebral pathology due to defective heredity. Since abulia, or the lack of will or initiative, is seen in neurological states (such as strokes), and a disorder or failure of will was seen as part of the obsessive clinical picture, the argument could be made that OCD is a degenerative disorder of the brain and (based on the family studies), of hereditary origin.

whether an OCD diagnosis funnels you into SSRIs, tryclic antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, ECT or "simply" CBT then depends heavily on your race, class status, prior hospitalization history, the specific nature of your obsession and compulsion, etc. as always the issue is not that you "can't control yourself" but whether it impedes your productivity, based on a distinction between "higher level mental activities" and "primitive psychological operations" with obvious racist, colonial and ableist implications.

In his highly regarded work, Les Obsessions et la Psychasthenie (Obsessions and Psychasthenia ), Janet proposed that obsessions and compulsions arise in the third (deepest) stage of psychasthenic illness. Because the individual lacks sufficient psychological tension (a form of nervous energy) to complete higher level mental activities (those of will and directed attention), nervous energy is diverted into and activates more primitive psychological operations that include obsessions and compulsions.

source 1 and source 2 (both suck i'm just talking about the rhetoric)

[shiningstarr15]

Ok fine I’ve held off long enough on my thoughts so here

✨Doublestar Duo Headcanons✨

-Vanessa and Gregory have a very strong “enemies to friends to family” potential. I see them started off very strongly as rivals

-like, comically ridiculous rivals. As in the typical “I’m not gonna be bested by this squirt!” only to later fall for the very obvious trap bc your ego got in the way of your instincts

-despite this though, they do in fact, have a lot in common. Between both being stubborn and sassy, they both know what it’s like to be misunderstood.

-both are loners by nature that desperately want friends. However, their self esteem is low enough that it makes them feel that nothing they do is good enough and therefore are unworthy of anyone’s time or effort

-they both have been told that they’re ‘hard to handle’ which has led to them having severe attachment and abandonment issues.

-while both of them struggle to form meaningful relationships, they both see each other as a safe haven. Someone that they can be their 100% true selves around despite what others around them have told them.

-they took a while to actually become friends, given that Vanessa not only tried to kill him as Vanny, but was obscenely rude to him despite claiming to want to “help” him.

-Gregory only felt apprehensiveness towards her at first. Wondering what the next thing would be to set her off as she tended to have a very short temper. He basically felt he needed to walk on eggshells

-after some time passed, he was able to figure out her ticks and triggers. And not only felt more comfortable around her, but genuinely enjoyed her company

-they eventually fell into a sorta playful rivalry relationship. This has led to constant teasing, bickering, and even physical (playful) altercations

-they both enjoy it though, despite never saying it out loud

-Vanessa and Gregory height difference is quite substantial, with his mere almost 4 ft paling in comparison to her whopping 5’8.” And this is something BOTH have learned to use to their advantage.

-Gregory is playful by nature, which has a tendency to bring out Vanessa’s own child-like side.

-Vanessa has what can be described as “aggressive affection.” Wherein she won’t hurt him, but has a tendency to be a bit more rough with him (ex: pinching his cheeks, putting him in headlocks and giving noogies, squeezing so tight he can barely breathe, picking him up and swinging him around as he’s very light, etc)

-Despite their age gap being a significant 12 years apart, they are very much on par maturity wise (with her being young for her age and him being older for his)

-neither one of them remember their time together as coworkers under the mimics control. While Vanessa can recall very bare pieces through dreams, Gregory was completely under control as Rab. He has no recollection of that time whatsoever.

-despite this, they feel VERY drawn to each other. Like an unspoken connection that is telling them simply that they belonged in each others lives

-after some time Vanessa does become Gregory’s official legal guardian.

-they do not have a parent child relationship whatsoever. Rather they are best friends that very much view each other as siblings.

-there is no power play dynamic. This is a very much “we take care of each other” ordeal. Whereas they will basically hound each other for not taking care of themselves.

-they have emergency supplies for each other in their bags. (Etc she’s carrying around bandages and ibuprofen, he’s carrying around migraine meds and pads)

-Gregory is very much a rough houser, and while she can and will partake in that, she also will scold him anytime he’s gotten himself hurt while patching him up

-Vanessa grows a VERY protective side to her when it comes to him, it’s a very much “nobody messes with the kid but ME” sorta deal when it comes to people genuinely picking on him.

-he’s the same way with her, except he’ll genuinely threaten to beat their ass if they mess with her.

-while he finds it very amusing to “torment” her, he does look up to her a great deal and wants to make her proud (he will never admit this out loud)

-they have nicknames for each other, that can range from genuinely endearing to purposely trying to grate the others nerves (affectionately)

-they have MASTERED the art of annoying sibling without even trying. Having a competitive side by nature, they are CONSTANTLY at bat with each other. It is not coming from just one side, it’s definitely coming from both.

-they have both STRESSED Freddy tf out, whom they both have come to see as an unusual found father figure.

-despite being an adult, Freddy can and will treat Vanessa like a child when she’s acting like one.

-Vanessa tends to be a very versatile guardian, where she can approach Gregory in any way that seems fit. She has the capability to be his buddy, his annoying sister, and his caretaker, all in one.

-despite their bickering and quarrels, they care very deeply for each other, and will often seek each others company when the other is in distress.

-they both have a tendency to meltdowns and panic attacks, in which they are both deemed each others safe person.

-Gregory is actually the more comforting one. While Vanessa CAN comfort, she has a very unorthodox approach to it.

-because she can’t really understand emotions properly (alexithymia) she usually has to ask exactly what the kid needs or wants. And it can range from advice, to just a shoulder to cry on.

-after he’s feeling better, she will flip the switch to trying to cheer the kid up. Which she is substantially better at (she loves making the kid laugh)

-despite him not being all that touchy feely by nature, he does find solace and comfort being snuggled up to and held by Vanessa. She’s like a literal security blanket.

-despite having separate rooms, they find themselves having CONSTANT sleepovers, which can range from just simply sleeping in the same bed together to fully going out with movies, games, popcorn, candy, etc

-they both want to make up for the others lost childhood, so they’ll do things together that they may not have gotten to do or was forbidden from doing.

-despite having friends their own age (or around the same ages) they still will naturally gravitate back towards each other, and will want to partake in things together rather than separate

-they both have a tendency to be very vulnerable, but will usually mask it in public. However, around each other, they’re extremely open about it.

-even after the guardianship ends, they maintain that very strong sibling-like bond and continue to be major parts of each others lives.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And that’s it for now! This is the basic bulk of them but I’ve also got little more specific ones. Let me know if you wanna hear those at some point too! :3

[mantequillamcwhoremick]

Kenny's Heroism (part 2)

(part 1: parentification)

Control (or the lack of it)

Turning the running gag of Kenny's deaths into trauma that deeply affects him is perhaps one of the most genius things I have ever seen in any media, ever. (Don't quote me on that, I'm just a big fan of it.) It recontextualizes each time Kenny is violently torn into another death and turns it into something so much darker. Especially instances in which he's clearly fighting it and trying to escape it (episodes like Tweek vs. Craig, s3 ep5 & Super Fun Time, s12 ep7) or when you see that how his friends treat his deaths deeply upsets him (Kenny Dies, s5 ep13 & Cherokee Hair Tampons, s4 ep6). It also reframes Kenny's cheesing addiction in Major Boobage (s12 ep3)-- as well as ongoing mentions that Kenny likes to "sniff glue" (like in Best Friends Forever, s9 ep5) or always tries to get high in other ways-- as a means to escape his incredibly traumatic life.

What theme ties all of these instances together?

Control.

The theme of control as a driving force behind Kenny's actions first stuck out to me when playing From Dusk Til Casa Bonita (TFBW DLC, 2018). In this side story, Kenny is obsessively convinced he needs to save Karen from getting sucked into the Vamp kids' group, despite Karen's repeated insistence that these guys are her friends. But Kenny doesn't like these kids, and he isn't willing to hear Karen out about it. He isn't even willing to talk to Karen as Kenny about this; he just barges into the party as Mysterion (her "guardian angel") to ruin it and get his sister back. Although Kenny may believe so, he doesn't actually have Karen's best interest at heart, at least not in the most productive way. By the end of the DLC's story, Henrietta introduces Karen into the "goth ways"; offering her a cigarette to smoke, and Kenny stands by and seems to have no problem with it. It's likely that Kenny himself simply doesn't know better, but also that he doesn't mind her indulging in bad things like smoking so long as she does it under his watchful eye.

So what's this really about?

Kenny loves Karen dearly, no question about it. But Kenny is an deeply messed up child; intensely parentified, left to his own devices far too much for a kid his age, not to mention continuously traumatized by his repeated violent deaths. Every aspect about Kenny's life screams a lack of control; lack of guidance; lack of a present parental figure to help him through any and all of the emotional and physical turmoil he's experienced. He gets thrown around by life and death so much, with seemingly no way to find footing and take control.

It only makes sense that Kenny obsessively wants for Karen's life to feel different to her.

Kenny knows that he isn't making Karen happy by ruining her night out with friends. But he also knows that he himself has gotten tangled up in a bunch of situations in his own life where he probably wishes his parents (or any adult for that matter) had stepped in and held him back, guided him a little more, instead of him having to figure out what's good and bad for him all by himself.

Kenny doesn't pretend to be able to control anything around him; for that he is far too apathetic, much more resigned to his life rather than proactive in making a change in it (like at the end of C**n vs. C**n & Friends, s14 ep13). However; when he sees something, or someone that he deeply cares about in a situation where Kenny could even exercise a tiny bit of control over, Kenny goes ridiculous lengths to take the chance.

Example A for this is the DLC. Example B: the Post Covid duology (2021).

The episodes The Scoots (s22 ep5) and the South ParQ Vaccination Special (s24 ep2) showcase another instance of loss of control for Kenny. This time, however, it's not about his deaths or within his family. It's within his friend group-- or chosen family, even.

In The Scoots, Stan, Kyle and Cartman decide behind his back that Kenny won't be going trick or treating with them, without consulting him or even giving him a chance to help come up with an alternative plan that works for everyone. Why? Because Kenny doesn't have the money for a phone to rent a scooter; another factor that is completely outside of his control. And following this up; in the Vaccination Special the three of them decide to break up the friend group without even letting him in on the conversation, treating him like their child for whom they make decisions, rather than their friend who deserves to have his input heard. The events of this special kickstart Kenny's motive in the Post Covid duology (2021) to build a time machine and change the past, consequently saving the entire future from a horribly dystopian reality.

Remember when I said Kenny will go ridiculous lengths to do whatever he can in a situation where he believes he has even an ounce of control?

So. Kenny's heroism. Is it based on high morals and/or empathy?

Maybe in part. Kenny is definitely an empathetic person (as seen in this little scene in Going Native (s16 ep11), how he cares about McNuggets in Cock Magic (s18 ep8), the reason he leaves Cartman his PSP in Best Friends Forever (s9 ep4)), but he can also be fairly apathetic and self-serving (Cartman Joins NAMBLA (s4 ep5), Good Times With Weapons (s8 ep1), The Tale Of Scrotie McBoogerballs (s14 ep2), Dikinbaus (s26 ep6), and others). I wouldn't put empathy as his main driving force behind his actions and decisions.

Does Kenny have high morals? Perhaps higher than Cartman (the bar being in hell), but he often does seem inclined to just follow along whatever Cartman's scheme is, no matter how objectively questionable (South Park is Gay (s7 ep8), The Tale Of Scrotie McBoogerballs (s14 ep2), The Magic Bush (s18 ep5), South ParQ Vaccination Special (s24 ep2), Dikinbaus (s26 ep6), possibly others). He at least seems more often inclined to do so willingly than Kyle or Stan, and even Butters who mostly tags along because Cartman manipulated or scared him into it. It should come as no surprise that Kenny doesn't have rock-hard morals like Kyle does, given that there's not a lot of highly moral things his parents might've brought him up with (meth lab in the garage, early exposure to plenty of sexual content, constant physical fights in the house, etc). The most devoted to a cause I've ever seen Kenny (for reasons other than empathy) is in the Unfulfilled & Bike Parade episodes (s22 ep9-10), where he shows class consciousness and decides to boycott amazon alongside his dad.

I guess the conclusion here is that Kenny is more driven by empathy rather than a strict moral code. However, we do have to consider that Kenny is a child and that there shouldn't be too high expectations/standards when it comes to moral code. Even so, Kenny has proven over and over again to be willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others (see list below).

So what drives Kenny's heroism?

Most of all it's his overwhelming sense of responsibility over offering others his help where it could be needed. This is most likely a result of lifelong parentification so much that it's become a compulsion or second nature to help. It's ALSO that he might want to exercise control over people's lives in some way to make up for what he never got; he wants to have a positive impact on other people's lives where he would've needed it himself all throughout his own life.

(Shameless plug: You can see all these themes reflected in my fic Chaos Plan if you're interested in checking it out.)

---

Episodes/Instances showcasing Kenny's heroism:

Cartman's Mom is A Dirty Slut (s1 ep13) -> electrocutes himself to bring power back to the hospital

Rainforest Shmainforest (s3 ep1) -> jumps in front of Kelly to protect her from gunshots

Jewbilee (s3 ep9) -> hits the shell Moses was trapped in with his head to break it and dies to save all the Jews

Bigger Longer and Uncut (1999) -> sacrificed his chance to come back to life in order to save thousands of other lives

Best Friends Forever (s9 ep5) -> is cast to save Heaven from an attack from Hell

The C**n (s13 ep2) -> the entire concept of the hero Mysterion

C**n vs. C**n & Friends (s14 ep13) -> 1: uses Mysterion to make a better life for himself and his siblings, 2: demands Cthulu take his life to free his friends

The Black Friday trilogy (s17 ep7-9) -> becomes the key to the PS4's success in the console wars

The Post Covid Duology (2021) -> creates a time machine not only to save his friends' broship but also positively changes the trajectory of the entire future

[cybersvoid]

❥ Big Brother Dabi

──⇌••⇋──

♡ Pairings: BigBrother!Dabi x Reader [Platonic]

Summary: Touya is different than Dabi, so in this series, I'll be specifically exploring big brother Dabi related stories in order to better keep them seperated. To get this series jumpstarted I basically made an imagine out of the ask I got a while back.

Referencing: This ask

ღ Warning | Kidnapping, Cursing, Etc.

Do not repost my work anywhere. If you see anyone reposting or copying my work please let me know. Thank you!

──⇌••⇋──

You awaken confused and scared in an unfamiliar environment. Everything was a bit foggy, as you tried to focus on the events of the day prior. You remember you were walking yourself home from daycare. Your mother used to pick you up before she got sick, and then your siblings started stepping up to walk you home in her place. However, with everyone's busy schedule, now and again one of them would forget, and you would be forced to walk yourself home. Those days are now becoming much more frequent.

Four-year-olds aren't normally allowed to be released without a parent or guardian accompanying them, but with your father being the number two pro hero, the staff was very understanding and accommodating of your family's busy schedule, turning a blind eye whenever needed. 

On the walk home, you noticed a strange portal down an alleyway. You had every intention of ignoring it, you were used to seeing strange things in this town by now, when you heard your name being called. It was faint, but it was unmistakably your name.

“Hello?” You called out, making your way toward the purple mass, “Is someone there?”

There was no response, so in your child-like innocence, you got a bit closer. It was a mistake. Once you were a few feet within the portal, you were pulled in.

That’s when everything came back to you. The scary man. How he took you and locked you in this room. You tried using your quirk, but you still didn’t even know how to. It only developed a week ago and you had no control over it. You were so scared that you cried all night until you exhausted yourself to sleep.

You felt tears start to well in your eyes again at how hopeless you felt. You just wanted your family. You just wanted to go home. Why can’t you just go home? What did he want with you?

You heard the door unlock, your kidnapper making his way inside with a bowl in hand, ensuring he closed the door behind him. You were able to get a better look at him now. He was covered in scars, adding to his already scary persona. His eyes were a bright blue that seemed vaguely familiar, but you weren't sure where from. As he approached you, you started scooting further back on the bed, about to make a run for it before he cut you off.

“Don’t even think about it, brat. You are vastly overpowered in this situation and the faster you quit all that crying and realize that, the easier it’ll be for both of us.” He extended his arm out to hand you the bowl, causing you to flinch at the sudden movement. “Will you calm down? It’s cereal. Either eat it, or don't. See if I fucking care.”

He slammed the bowl down on the bedside table before turning around to walk out again.

“Wait!” You called out behind him, “Please, I’m scared. I wanna go home.”

“Why?” He questioned not turning to face you.

“Huh?”

“Why do you wanna go home?”

“I-I miss my family.”

“Your family?” He hissed, whipping around, anger clear on his face, “The same family who forgets to pick you up from daycare? The same family who leaves you home alone for hours at a time? The same family who doesn’t even realize that you're gone? That family?”

You burst out in tears at his words. Crying out as you frantically wiped at your face. “That’s not true, you’re lying! You’re a liar!”

“I’m not, and I thought I told you to stop fucking crying! You’re going to exhaust yourself all over again.” He shouted, only causing you to cry harder. He let out a long groan, running his fingers through his hair, clearly frustrated. He didn’t think taking you would be easy, but he sure as hell didn’t think it would be this hard. Sure, you were young when he disappeared, but there’s no way you forgot him completely. 

He slowly walked over to the bed sitting on the edge facing away from you before speaking up.

“Hey, please stop crying.” He sighed, desperate more than frustrated at this point. Never did he think the day would come when he used the word please, but at this point he would try anything. However, it seemed to work since your bawling began to transition into light sniffling at this point. “Listen, I’m doing this for your own good. I’ll explain everything when you’re calm and ready, but you're not going back there, so it’s in your best interest to get comfortable. Now eat your fucking cereal.”

That was the last thing he said before walking out of the room. Leaving you alone with your own thoughts. You glanced over at the now soggy cereal.

It was Lucky Charms… your favorite.

[aubreylikesmith]

HI GUYS!!! first ever tumblr post so excuse me if im being super super weird😭🙏🏻🙏🏻 but heres my bully oc AZIAA SULLIVAN! i swear i’ll make art w her on one of those bully oc templates soon im just a lazy fuck

uhh theres alot of lore for her, to keep it short shes a new student at bullworth a few months after jimmy arrived, shes japanese but the last school she got expelled from was also in new england, so bullworth is basically the last resort

shes pretty rich because her sister is a loaded bodyguard back in japan, and since that sister is her guardian, azia does get really super spoiled by her

soo azia started dating gary just before halloween without really knowing what she was getting into with garys lowkey unstable personality, especially since shes not exactly stable herself (i’ll have halloween art of them too in a bit!!) and their personalities constrasting eachother like that lead to alot of conflict that i’d have to make a whole post about just to explain parts of it😭😭

Shes diagnosed with bpd because of the past abuse she endured from her parents before they died. she takes medication for it, but since she also takes birth control the side effects really mess her up, which does explain alot about her

AGGHH SM MORE INFO OKAY so shes a manipulative little biatch acrually, using her looks and power alot of times with both men and women (in flirting or such) to get what she wants in different situations, which does get her in alot of trouble around the school, but since shes teamed up with karl from the prefects and gary too, she pretty much gets away with stuff if she tries hard enough

she has 2 other bully oc bsfs that she has her own little mean girls type of clique with (ily ava and mabel), after gary gets expelled and breaks the fuuuck up with azia out of nowhere, azia does get with one of those girls and then we have a little toxic yuri too in the story if it isnt already messed up on its own

SOOOO theres sm more stuff about azia that i wanna share but i have no idea how. pls tell me if ur interested in anything about her character or story or anything because i’ll spill about anything!! XOXO CUTIES💋💋

[megumimania]

THINKING BOUT YOU— gojo satoru

synopsis: whilst in a meeting about megumi’s conduct, gojo’s mind seems to be focused on one thing, you.

warnings: dad!gojo, gojo satoru x fem!reader, megumi having to put up with gojo’s bs, fluff, gojo being a shameless flirt, gojo attempting to be a concerned parent

“this is stupid.” huffed a 13 year old megumi.

megumi wasn’t here on his own volition of course as this was the doing of his annoying guardian gojo satoru. ever since he found out you were megumi’s teacher he’d been bribing megumi to get into trouble at school so he’d have a reason to come and see you.

“oh megumi this isn’t stupid, remember what i promised if you played your part?” he asked with a mischievous look in his eyes.

megumi knew that gojo had him hook line and sinker. he cursed himself for showing a semblance of a smile when they walked past the pet store last week.

“fine but don’t get in a mood when she turns you down.” he replied with a sass that gojo dismissed as typical teenage angst, something he was all too familiar with.

megumi politely knocked on your classroom door sparing no time for gojo to prepare his little act. “megumi, come take a seat.” you beckoned him in noticing the little scratch on his cheek that made you slightly concerned.

his tall white haired guardian followed in shortly after, taking the seat opposite you. “i’m really glad you could make it today gojo-san.” you addressed him politely, reaching over to shake his hand as you’d do with any other parent.

his hand lingered on yours for a second longer as he gazed into your eyes with such an intensity it made megumi sick. he was really pulling out all the stops for you wasn’t he?

“there’s no need for the formalities when we’re practically the same age.” he pointed out with a charming smile, letting your hand go in the process.

your cheeks were practically aflame as you tried to retain some sense of self control. “oh right…um. megumi.” you nodded at megumi who looked like he’d rather the ground swallow him whole than watch this interaction play out.

you expressed your concern over megumi’s behaviour and something about a report. gojo was half listening, half not. he was more preoccupied with staring at you with not a single ounce of shame. even behind those spectacles his gaze was intense making you lose focus at some points.

“…this is megumi’s third fight in the last two weeks.”

a sharp kick from under the desk by megumi jolted him back to earth. gojo winced in pain as megumi looked on as if nothing happened. he made a mental note to embarrass the hell out of megumi later.

you were unaffected by the silent altercation going on in front of you. despite megumi’s disdain towards his guardian it seemed like he rubbed off on him a little bit. their mannerisms were eerily similar that if it wasn’t for the physical differences, they could’ve easily passed for siblings.

“if this was any other student this would be an immediate suspension but megumi is a stellar student and we don’t think he would benefit from that at all.”

gojo let out a sigh of relief.

as much as he loved being around megumi, he could admit that he did not have the time nor the facilities to teach him whilst he was at home. in his defence he was too busy carrying the jujutsu world on his back, which was a gruelling task in of itself.

he slapped his knee an indicator that he was ready to grab megumi and go home. he ushered megumi outside, telling him to wait for him in the car to which a disgruntled megumi surprisingly did. as soon as he left, gojo jumped on your desk.

his sapphire blue eyes trained on you, watching you mark your students essays with a furrow in your brow that he desperately wanted to smooth away.

ah how he knew the pains of marking essays all too well, with panda's and toge's essays being the ones he usually offloaded to other staff when they wasn't looking.

“how did i do?” gojo asked, his voice like honey to your ears.

the classroom was now tinted with a pinkish orange hue as the sun started to set, casting shadows in the classroom. “megumi’s a smart kid, he probably knows now with how obvious you were.” you responded, trying to not loose this mgroove you were in

“i wasn’t being that obvious.” gojo grumbled to himself. he knew damn well he was being obvious as hell but didn’t want to admit it, the irony of his remark making you scoff.

"seriously?" you gave him a deadpan stare. gojo's whole existence was the epitome of obviousness: his striking looks, his cursed technique, his lineage, hell even his personality was far from discreet. however he still maintained his defense.

"megumi is a smart kid but at the end of the day he's still a kid. he probably thinks I was just being a bit too full on." he drummed his fingers against the desk and you laughed at his delusion.

in the short time you knew megumi, you already established that he was an incredibly smart and perceptive kid, even for someone his age.

“stop doubting him.” and that was a tough pill for gojo to swallow, it was easier to pretend that megumi was like every kid in the world than accept the fact that soon he’ll have his childhood robbed from him.

that he would be forced to grow up and become essentially a child soldier for an invisible group of elders and clan leaders, fighting battles that will scar him for life. being a sorcerer was a thankless job but thank god the pay was decent.

gojo decides that he’s not going to bore you with his late night worries about megumi, after all they were his own worries sto bear.

“i’ll think about it more once you’ve given me a kiss.” he teases, his eyebrows wiggling as he closes his eyes and puckers up. you snort at his childish behaviour as you eventually cave in, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips.

you pull away as a camera clicks from behind you, a blinding white flash, forcing you to blink away the light. megumi looked smug as hell, finally enjoying the first time he’s successfully managed to one up gojo. the childlike glee in his typical sullen expression being the one that gojo desperately wanted to protect.

“you little…” gojo took off after that not bothering to finish his sentence, busy chasing megumi down the hallway outside into the car park where your back window conviently faced.

gojo now had megumi in a headlock much to the dismay of their driver, who honestly looked so worn out and so over their nonsense. gojo’s long arms desperately tries to reach for the camera in megumi’s hands but to no avail as the camera is already in the air before he can react.

in a move no one saw coming, megumi manages to shake off the invincible gojo by biting his finger. the white haired man winces in pain looking at his slightly reddening finger with minimal concern, as the camera lands in the driver’s hands.

after a few minutes of roughhousing gojo surrenders, warily draping his arm lazily over megumi’s shoulder as they make their way back to the car. your heart warms as the love and admiration they have for eachother is clearly shared in their own weird ways.

with the playful display of bravado over with now, you peel your eyes away from the window, closing the lights, blinds and whiteboard, grabbing your jacket before locking your classroom door shut.

your walk home is nothing short of uneventful but even as the music blares in your headphones, you can’t get over the sound of megumi and gojo battling it out in the school car park, the thought of that bringing a smile to your face.

he truly did love him.

[flamingpudding]

Fictober23 Prompt: 25 - "Do I look like I knew that?"

Fandom: DPxDC

Rating: T

Warnings: -

A/N: Edit - adjusted the last bit a little after rereading this during my break, so that it makes grammatically more sense...

There was no warning. The moment the Waynes had stepped into the main hall of this Gala they had not been prepared for what had been about to happen. The only sign they had gotten was Damian tensing for a split second before the youngest of them booked it across the hall.

Tim and Bruce instantly attempted damage control, distracting all the high society people that had noticed it, while Dick and Jason followed their youngest. Cass had already escaped the gala to the roof before they had set their first foot into the main hall.

But again, nothing could have prepared them for what was happening.

Damian not only had seen something that caused him to sprint across the room no, their Demon Brat had gone a step further and just tackled the kid of someone else over and was now wrestling with the other boy! Holding one of the daggers they must have missed to the other boy's neck.

Surprisingly, the other kid held himself pretty well against Damian. Jason and Dick spent a good five minutes just staring when they had found their youngest, only starting to move again when Vlad Master demanded answers from his child. The apparent guardian of the kid that was currently attempting to get a choke hold on Damian before getting flipped over the shoulder, the boy flipped mid air, landing on his feet.

Before Damian could lung at the other boy again Dick grabbed him, his arm wounding around Damians chest as he held onto his youngest brother that sent quite an impressive death glare towards the other kid that just returned the glare, not with the same intensity but clearly peeved had having gotten attacked out of nowhere.

"Daniel! Explain this instant! You promised me, one gala without a ruckus!" Master was clearly not amused, hopefully Bruce had some sort of peace offering ready. Not that the man needed it, Dick thought, remembering some of the reports he had seen the man on.

The boy, Daniel, turned his glare towards his guardian. "It's not my fault this time! HE attacked me first!" Jason snorted, clearly having heard out of that statement alone that Masters apparently also had a feral kid that attacked someone at a gala before.

"This is no excuse. I know you are still grieving but you can not attack my business partner's children. Wasn't it enough that you broke Andrews Mayors nose last week?"

"He deserved it, he hit a girl in a perverted way."

"Justin Gracer?"

"Made fun of my late parents' profession."

"Daniel."

"Fruitloop."

Dick watched how Masters pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly not happy with his charge. By now Damian seemed to have calmed down too from whatever idea he had gotten into his head. He was still glaring at the other kid but at least it appeared he wasn't going to attack anymore when he hissed at Dick to let go of him. He still kept a hand on his shoulder just in case.

"I am so sorry Mr. Master. It wasn't Daniel that started it. Damian, come on apologies." Dick cut in, causing the other two to pay attention and fully face them. That's when he noticed it. Daniel looked a whole lot like Damian. The older siblings shared a glance before Jason left to get the others, Tim and Bruce were still stuck doing damage control but it should only be a matter of time. What was the best way to bring it up to ask subtitle questions without appearing suspicious?

Dick was just about a question before Daniel apparently beat him to it. "Fruitloop, you did not attempt to clone me did you?"

"Little Badger, why would I do that? I already have guardianship over you."

Dick felt like he was missing something here but he also felt Daniam's shoulder tense below his hand. So that was why he had attacked. Damian thought another clone appeared. He really hoped what Masters and his Charge seid were just some ill timed joke. Otherwise the implications would be very worrisome.

"Mom and Dad didn't keep some other family relations secret did they?" Daniel then asked and Masters looked at them contemplatively. "Well Jack was estranged from the rest of his family while Maddie only had her sister Alicia and as far as I am aware you and Jasmine were their only children."

"Mr. Masters if you don't mind, would it be alright to do a DNA testing? You said Daniel's father was estranged from his family? It would be good to find out now if there is a relation." Dick ignored the glare Damian was sending him now, but this was his best excuse to get the others DNA to test if the other boy was really a clone or not. If he was then the League of Assassins must have done some serious brainwashing, and memory manipulation. This would also be the first clone of Damian that actually had a consciousness of his own.

"Doesn't explain why he attacked me…" he heard the other boy mutter as Master stared at them with narrowed eyes for a while before giving the boy by his side a contemplating look.

"Daniel has lost his family and friends in an incident recently. It would be good if we found any family he could connect with or help with his grief." The man then finally said after a moment before handing Dick a business card with a number to connect them before leading his boy away, leaving the gala for all they knew.

A week later and after a lot of discussion in their Family. The Waynes and Masters meet for the DNA testing. Though the moment Masters and his charge met Bruce both froze, Bruce in his Brucie act blinked innocently at them and asked if anything was wrong.

"Fruitloop…"

"Don't be ridiculous Daniel. I never would have attempted what you appear to be implying."

The boy pointed in at Bruce as he faced his guardian. "Look at him and tell me they don't look alike! He is like a more fit version of Dad! Like he hadn't eaten a single one of mom fudges in years! You have to have an explanation for that!"

"And how would I do that?"

"I don't know! You're the fruitloop one that had cloning equipment in the basement! Who did you buy it from? Some old fruitloop? The one you bought it from, did they try to - i don't know - clone a celebrity for themselves! The papers you had with it clearly stated that it had been used successfully once. It was a second hand bought with super old technology when I demanded you destroy the stuff!"

"Daniel, do I look like I knew that? I never looked in these papers you speak of! I just bought it as a backup plan, that I never needed a little badger! Besides the only one I would have ever attempted to clone with that time frame would have been your mother! I didn't even know your father before college! "

"Why would you buy something without looking into the papers and instruction manuals you get with it?!"

"There was no need for! Why did you even look into that when you had me destroy it anyway?!"

The Waynes looked back and forth between Masters and his charge. The more these two continued to argue the more a sinking feeling started to form in everyone present. It was Tim though that voiced everyone's thoughts as he leaned over to Bruce whispering only one question. "Are we sure there never has been an attempt of someone trying to clone you? It sounds like there had been one, years ago…"

[mrs-livvy]

Prologue: Me & You

Note: I caved in🤣. Here we goo! let know if ya wanna be tagged in anything.

(inspired by the song Me & You By Cassie)

Word count: 1675 (I got a tad bit carried away)

Warnings: None....for now

Charcters

Prologue: Me & You

Rushing past the sea of multicolored scrubs; balloons & flowers for loved one's and the sound of phones going off from patients or guardians, this has been my life since I graduated. There's never a dull moment in the hospital. Some would say it’s tedious, while others would say it’s stressful. Yet there are those who tell us that their copay is too high.

Today was just like any other day except I had a little kid, no older than 12, going in for cast removal. And boy was she happy to see me.

“Nurse Ronnie!” Her voice chirped as she saw me walk in, with her parents in the room. 

“Sophia. I’m glad I was called in to be here with you today.” I gave her a quick hug after greeting her parents first and foremost. The two were antsy the first time we met because their daughter fell off her skateboard and didn't know what to do. Luckily, they weren’t too panicked as some parents would be.

“I am too. I am getting my cast off, and I wanted you to help Dr. Tyler.” She had a bright grin on her face while telling me the big news.

I smiled back and then got prepared for the event. “Well I’m happy to help in any way I can. Ready?”

Cynthia Tyler was the best doctor when it came to children, and a college roommate of mine at Evergreen Southern. Knowing her skill set and drive made the job easier to come in everyday. Plus she’s engaged to one of my brothers, which is an added bonus. 

Sophia nodded eagerly and took a deep breath like we practiced all those times before. She even enjoyed my singing when I would check her vitals, and called me the singing nurse. The nickname stuck with me, and took off at company gatherings for karaoke. 

As I grabbed the instruments I needed, she asked me, “Can you sing with me as you move the tiny saw?”

“Sure can.” A gentle smile was etched on my face, then I began to sing while moving the saw along her right lw. “Brown skinned, girl. Your skin just like pearls.”

With a toothy grin, she joined. “The most beautiful thing in the world. Never trade you for anybody else. Singin’ brown skin girl, your skin just like pearls.”

Moving further down, I continued with the saw to crack the top half open. “The best thing in the world. I never trade you for anybody else, singin’. She said she really grew up poor like me. Don't believe in nothin' but the Almighty. Just a likkle jeans and a pure white tee, She never did forever be nobody wifey, yeah. So while I may not pretty boy, your heart is amiss.”

“Play it like a villain 'cause she caught in a wave. Tonight I am walkin' away 9 to 5 mind, on the grind, yeah, yeah.” She smiled and giggled gently as she felt the cool air hit her leg for first time in a year.

“Tonight I might fall in love, dependin' on how you hold me. I'm glad that I'm calmin' down, can't let no one come control me. Keep dancin' and call it love, she fightin' but fallin' slowly. If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told me.”

Then we both joined together as I got to the bottom of the cast. “Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls. Your back against the world. I never trade you for anybody else, say. Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls, The best thing inna di world. I never trade you for anybody else, say.”

“I can finally see my leg!” Sophia had cheered happily as she looked down at it. “Thank you!” She was happier than a Junebug in the summer.

“You’re very welcome my dear. Just make sure to wear your knee pads next time, like your parents tell you to. Ok?” I nodded towards her parents and her father chimed in.

“You hear that ladybug? Make sure you wear all your gear next time, all the time even. We aren’t saying it for our health and safety but yours.” Her mother nodded in agreement.

“Alright, sounds like an even front for all. I’ll let Dr. Tyler asses everything, get you settled on what you need to do and let you head on home.” Discarding my gloves in the waste bin, I headed out the room to see a few folks standing out in the hallway.

“Who was that singing?” One of the nurses, Ciara, asked me.

“Me and my patient, who I helped get her cast off.” I answered with a smile. “She had always asked me to sing whenever she came in.”

“Well keep up the good work then.” She chuckled and went on about her business.

“Oh I plan to.” Sending a wink in her direction, I headed back to my station to gather my stuff for the day. But I still had the song in my head. So knowing me, I kept singing.

“Pose like a trophy when Naomi's walk in. She need an Oscar for that pretty dark skin. Pretty like Lupita when the cameras close in. Drip broke the levee when my Kellys roll in. I think tonight she might braid her braids, Melanin too dark to throw her shade. She minds her business and wines her waist. Gold like 24k, okay.” Singing gently to myself, feeling the soul within the song just made my day better.

That is until I got an update on a patient that we had gotten a few days ago. “Dupree! I got an update on that one patient, I had you help out a bit ago.” Denise had pulled me to the side and typed away on the keyboard.

The files were flooding the screen, popping up left and right, until she found the right one. “Samaritan Hospital, miles away from us. Luckily the small hospital keeps others informed anyway just in case.” She continued. “Mike Simmons, right?”

“Yeah that’s him, from what you told me.” I racked through the notes myself, looking for answers. “Damn it. He got stabbed in prison; taken to Samaritan and passed there.” 

The nerves I had coursing through me were on edge. It’s a shame what happened to him, given the injustice going on. The more I looked at his picture, the more familiar he seemed.

“And this happened weeks ago?” I deeply sighed as I sat down next to her. “Any family listed on his file? Visitation records.” I couldn’t figure it out for the life of me, where else I had seen his face from. Sometimes relatives do look like, depending on which side they’re on.

Denise went typing away like the detective she is at times. “Just one person.” She stated clearly, and kept typing. Before she could start her sentence, I looked up and saw someone talking to one of the doctors that looked all too familiar. 

“Terrance Richmond.” I stated plainly, with a gentle smile on my face. He turned around and flashed his million dollar smile back at me. 

“Veronica Dupree. Long time no see.” His voice sounded like it was coated in honey, and smooth as whiskey. Something that brought back memories, and haunted my dreams.

Denise was still eying her screen. “Yeah, that’s him. How’d you know that?” I nudged her slightly, she looked up and uttered a gentle “Damn, that man is fine.” Luckily only I heard her. Was she lying though?

“Likewise.” I made my way around the counter and stood by him, gesturing to him to follow me to talk. “We’ll talk later Denise.”

“We better!” She shouted towards me with a chuckle.  

“So what brings you to Evergreen Medical?” Asking an obvious question, towards the gentle giant. His tall 6 '3 frame, made my 5' 9 seem shorter than normal.

“I wanted to thank the person who tried to help my cousin. And when the doctors told me it was you, I was thrilled actually.” We sat in the little outdoor corridor that was open in the hospital. I couldn't tell you the last time I had been entranced by his eyes. They just draw anybody in, without remorse to lose focus.

“Especially since it was someone who knows my family.” He started his sentence with a deep baritone breath, then shifted his gaze to mine. “Who I still care about.” 

And there it was, the same old Terry. Lord this man was something else. “I'm glad I could help. So when is the homegoing, if there is one.” I wanted to keep the topic at hand and not shift towards me and our past. 

“Yea there is. My parents, aunt and uncle are handling it. I also wanted to extend an invite to you and yours.” He passed me the obituary with the date set on it, and I graciously accepted.

“I will make sure that we will be there.” With a gentle smile, I looked into his eyes softly. Abort mission, Dupree! I thought to myself. Don’t you dare get lost in his hazel green eyes.

He checked his watch and sighs awkwardly. “Well uh, I gotta get going. Gotta help out with the service and all.” He got up and held his hand out to help me up. Which I took and felt a surge of electricity race through me.

“You still have my number. It never changed when you left.” A sly smirk painted on my face, as I graciously took my hand back. 

He chucked a little himself. “Fair enough. I just may call you later if you don’t mind talking to an old friend.”

“Not at all. I’m free to talk later.” Confirming the unofficial date, knowing damn well I don’t need it.

“Hope to see you around.” He waved softly and made his way back to the entrance of the hospital.

I waved back and headed back inside.“You just might.” I whispered to myself. “You just might.”